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HEALTH

Switzerland rejects alcohol ban in stadiums

Switzerland's Federal Council has rejected a planned nationwide ban on selling alcohol in stadiums, despite Swiss health officials pushing for the move.

Switzerland rejects alcohol ban in stadiums
Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Instead, the Federal Council on Wednesday decided that alcohol can be sold at large events as long as patrons can stick to an extensive set of social distancing and hygiene rules. 

Events with more than 1,000 people will be again allowed in Switzerland from October 1st pursuant to a range of restrictions. 

Organisers of large events are required to submit a protection concept to show how they will ensure attendees comply with the rules. 

From October 1st, all attendees will be required to wear masks and standing will not be allowed (with few exceptions). 

Food and drink can only be consumed while patrons are seated, away fans will not be admitted and only two thirds of the seats may be used. 

‘Protection concept must not be endangered’ 

According to the Swiss government: “The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are to be restricted to such an extent that the observance of the protection concept is not endangered by the viewers.”

In the lead up to the announcement, Swiss media reported that Health Minister Alain Berset was pushing for a ban on alcohol at large events in stadiums due to pressure from some cantonal authorities. 

At the announcement on Wednesday, Berset said the federal government was trying to act proportionately to the threat – but that cantons were free to put in place alcohol bans and other restrictions if they saw fit. 

“We are simply trying to act proportionately here. We already did that in mid-March. We are less strict here compared to other countries.

“You simply cannot say exactly what will happen, which is why we gave the cantons the flexibility to do so.

“You know, I like to have a beer too.”

While clubs and venues will have the power to expel those who do not comply with the rules, there are currently no fines for those who fail to do so. 

 

 

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HEALTH

The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters

If you just moved to Switzerland (or even if you have lived here for a while), your learning curve about health-related matters in the country may be steep. These sites will help you find the information you need.

The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters

Staying healthy is probably one of your top priorities, but doing so in a foreign country is not easy.

That is why having some reliable resources that you can check out and follow will be helpful.

First: The Local

No, we are not doctors, but we have published a number of factual articles over the years about many aspects of healthcare in Switzerland that our readers find helpful.

You can find a compilation of these health-related stories here

Federal Office of Public Health 

Obviously, when it comes to matters of health, the Health Ministry has lots of information that will be relevant to you at one time or another.

Aside from matters of health policy (which is important for all residents of Switzerland), the site also has a regularly updated Infectious Diseases Dashboard to let you know what communicable illnesses are currently circulating in Switzerland — and how to avoid them.

It also provides age-specific health information and recommendations — for instance, for children and teenagers, as well as for the elderly.

Hospital websites

Individual hospitals in your area are good sources of information as well, and many of them are in English.

You can find there general health information, care and treatment options, online emergency room signup, new medical technologies being used, and other patient resources:

Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)

Vaud University Hospital (CHUV)

Zurich University Hospital

Basel University Hospital 

If you live in an area without a university medical centre, your local hospital is also a valuable source of health-related information.

Appointment booking platform

This website is especially useful for people who don’t yet have a doctor in Switzerland but need to set an appointment with one. 

It gives you an option of choosing a specialty and location, and then displays doctor’s names and addresses, background information about them, and which time slots they have available.

You can easily set up an appointment this way.

Your health insurer’s website

This may not be an intuitive choice for impartial information about healthcare but you may be surprised.

For instance, Sanitas insurance site has information about emergency care decisions, and how to void unnecessary medical treatments.

CSS has health information geared specifically to men and women.

Helsana talks about ways to combat stress and sleep problems.

These are just a few examples on what valuable tips you can find on your insurer’s website.

Websites devoted to specific medical conditions

If you seek information about a specific illness — such as treatment options in Switzerland — there are plenty of online resources for that as well.

For instance:

Heart and cardiovascular 

Diabetes 

Osteoporosis 

Mental illness 

General pain 

Other diseases 

Last but not least, while not related to health, these websites will also provide useful information for international residents:

The Swiss websites that can help you save money
 
The most useful website resources to help you get Swiss citizenship 
 
 

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